This is the assessment of Mr. Bui Hoa An, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction, during the second thematic discussion “The Role of Local Governments in Enhancing Port Cooperation and Meeting New Generation Sustainability Standards,” held on the afternoon of September 11, as part of the Ho Chi Minh City Friendship Dialogue 2026 (FD 2026).

The program also featured representatives from the Logistics and Port Association (HLA), Vietnam SuperPort Logistics Port, Tan Cang - Cai Mep International Port, Colombo Port (Sri Lanka), various localities, and enterprises...

At the event, discussions highlighted the importance of transitioning to a green logistics ecosystem to adapt to new generation emission standards.

Mr. Bui Hoa An, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction, emphasized that the expansion of Ho Chi Minh City's port system, including Binh Duong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau, is facing a historic opportunity to become the largest port - logistics hub in the country and the region. (Source: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh City Faces a Historic Opportunity

Speaking at the discussion, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction Bui Hoa An emphasized that in the context of the maritime economy and logistics becoming a significant growth driver for the nation, Ho Chi Minh City's port system, after merging, including ports in Binh Duong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau, is entering a new phase of development, on a larger scale, with a more strategic role, and is expected to contribute more robustly to the southern key economic region and the entire country. This positions Ho Chi Minh City as the largest inter-regional port - logistics coordination center in the country and of continental stature.

Additionally, Decision No. 1061/QD-BXD in 2026 by the Ministry of Construction, which adjusts the national maritime infrastructure master plan, sets clear requirements: Vietnam's port system must grow strongly in terms of volume, modernize infrastructure, transition to green practices, and enhance regional connectivity. This is the foundation for Ho Chi Minh City to redefine its position, role, and development direction for the 2026-2030 period and with a vision towards 2045.

According to Decision 1061/QD-BXD, the southern region is identified as a key area for national port development. Ho Chi Minh City is designated as a special-class port, serving as the nucleus for coordinating cargo flows, directly connecting inter-regionally, and supporting the formation of sustainable green waterway transport routes.

Mr. Bui Hoa An stated that the cargo throughput of Ho Chi Minh City's port system is projected to reach between 463.4 - 512.5 million tons by 2030 (container cargo from 29.63 - 33.16 million TEU, excluding international transshipment); passenger numbers from 3.0 - 3.3 million. The vision for 2050: To meet the demand for cargo throughput with an average growth rate of approximately 4.4–4.9% per year; passenger growth at an average rate of about 1.0–1.4% per year.

“With the above scale, it can be envisioned that by 2030, with a vision towards 2050, Ho Chi Minh City will become the largest logistics - port hub in Southeast Asia, directly competing with major ports in Asia and the world. Additionally, transitioning to a green - smart port model is also a mandatory trend to implement,” noted the Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction.

Delegates attending the discussion. (Source: FD 2026)

Based on the aforementioned position, role, and growth forecasts, the city is prioritizing several port development strategies centered around three main tasks:

Firstly, enhancing investment in port infrastructure, transportation systems connecting ports with logistics centers and production areas to optimize cargo flows, reduce logistics costs, increase competitiveness, and enhance attractiveness to international shipping routes.

Secondly, developing mechanisms and policies to promote the development of port infrastructure, inland waterways, and waterway transport, with a focus on advancing green ports, digital transformation, and port automation.

Thirdly, establishing mechanisms to facilitate trade for goods through ports using special mechanisms such as free trade zones and open ports.

It can be said that the expansion of Ho Chi Minh City's port system, including Binh Duong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau, is facing a historic opportunity to become the largest port - logistics hub in the country and the region. According to Mr. Bui Hoai An, with these changes, we are on the brink of a significant transformation phase for Vietnam's port system. When the city government plays a coordinating role, when businesses collaborate, and when sustainability standards are prioritized, Ho Chi Minh City can fully develop a modern - green - smart port system and become an important growth driver for the locality.

Solving the Logistics Puzzle

According to Ms. Dang Minh Phuong, Chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City Logistics and Port Association (Founder & CEO of MP Logistics), logistics costs in Vietnam currently account for up to 18% of GDP, significantly higher than in regional countries like Thailand or Singapore. (Source: FD 2026)

Assessing the local economic launchpad after expanding development space, Ms. Dang Minh Phuong, Chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City Logistics and Port Association (Founder & CEO of MP Logistics), stated that the city currently has a population exceeding 13.8 million, a GDP of 125 billion USD (contributing 23.5% of the national GDP), and an impressive GRDP growth rate estimated at 8.03%.

Notably, the expanded port system accounts for over 65% of the country's total container volume, reaching a record of over 18 million TEU in 2025, with the deep-water port cluster Cai Mep - Thi Vai capable of directly accommodating super container ships up to 24,000 TEU on direct routes to Europe and America without transshipment. According to forecasts in Decision 1579/QD-TTg, container throughput in the area will maintain a growth rate of 7 to 9% per year until 2030.

However, Ms. Dang Minh Phuong pointed out that logistics costs in Vietnam currently account for up to 18% of GDP, significantly higher than in regional countries like Thailand or Singapore. The core reason does not lie in the lack of port warehouses but stems from a lack of synchronized connectivity and fragmented inter-regional resources in the Southern Key Economic Region, which contributes 45% of GDP and over 50% of the country's total port throughput. Overload at central port gateways, delayed deployment of inter-regional connectivity infrastructure, and the neglect of the inland waterway transport network due to a lack of ICD dry ports and satellite wharves are creating significant bottlenecks, increasing costs and waiting times for businesses.

To thoroughly address these limitations, Ms. Dang Minh Phuong proposed five breakthrough solution groups to optimize resources: Genuine regional coordination mechanisms and synchronized planning; breakthrough clearance of multi-modal connectivity infrastructure; digital and green transformation; expanding international port connectivity, actively participating in the global supply chain; and leveraging the bridging role of the Ho Chi Minh City Logistics and Port Association.

Ms. Ngo Thi Thanh Vy, General Director of QTM International Port Joint Stock Company, suggests Ho Chi Minh City promote international connectivity at four levels. (Source: FD 2026)

Meanwhile, from the perspective of a port operating enterprise, Ms. Ngo Thi Thanh Vy, General Director of QTM International Port Joint Stock Company, posed a guiding question on how international connections can go beyond cooperation to transform into the competitive capacity of enterprises and the supply chain itself.

She noted that future competition will not only lie in individual ports but also in the competition between logistics ecosystems. Today's customers are concerned with the total time goods take from production to market, the entire chain cost, data transparency, and the safety and sustainability of the supply chain. Therefore, a strong port does not necessarily create a strong logistics chain, but a strong logistics ecosystem will undoubtedly make the port more competitive.

From the practical experience of QTM International Port, which commenced in July 2026 in the Cai Mep - Thi Vai area, Ms. Ngo Thi Thanh Vy shared that the enterprise chose to seize the opportunity to design the future from the start, preparing infrastructure, technology, market, and customers synchronously instead of waiting for the port to be built before seeking partners.

Expressing her views on technology and environmental development trends, Ms. Ngo Thi Thanh Vy affirmed that the smart port and green port models should not be seen as two separate programs but should aim to enhance the efficiency of the entire logistics chain and create additional value for customers. Digital transformation should not start with the question of what technology to invest in but should begin with solving the real problems of customers: Does it help ships reduce waiting time, ensure data transparency, or cut costs and procedures? Simultaneously, green standards will become a mandatory competitive condition directly affecting a business's ability to participate in the global market.

The discussion was moderated by Mr. Truong Tan Loc, Marketing Director of Tan Cang - Sai Gon Corporation, Chairman of the Members' Council of Tan Cang - Cai Mep International Port Co., Ltd., Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Logistics and Port Association. (Source: FD 2026)

From this perspective, the General Director of QTM International Port Joint Stock Company proposed that Ho Chi Minh City promote international connectivity at four levels: City to City, Port to Port, Business to Business, and Market to Market. She also suggested that the city should select a few highly complementary port partners to implement 1-2 specific measurable objectives such as technology transfer, data platform connectivity, green solution trials, or the formation of new logistics corridors and trade flows.

It can be said that through the discussion, Ho Chi Minh City has put forward an initiative with localities and international partners to research and exchange ideas to build a multilateral cooperation mechanism among port cities within the network of friendly cities. Initially, the specialized agencies of the participating parties will research and propose specific content, models, and timelines for building the mechanism in the near future.

The port system of Ho Chi Minh City, after merging, is entering a new phase of development, on a larger scale, with a more strategic role, and is expected to contribute more robustly to the southern key economic region and the entire country. (Source: Ho Chi Minh City Portal)